Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Skin disinfection
Wound cleanser

Contraindications

Neonates
Thyroid dysfunction

Precautions and Warnings

Breastfeeding
Pregnancy

Avoid occlusive dressings
Do not apply to deep wounds
Do not apply to large areas of broken skin
Systemic absorption may interfere with thyroid function tests
Avoid prolonged use

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use topical iodine with caution in pregnancy.

Iodides are known to cross the placenta. Some topical preparations containing iodine are known to be absorbed by the foetal thyroid in the second and third trimesters.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use topical iodine with caution in breastfeeding.

Iodides are known to be concentrated in breast milk. The use of topical iodine for wound disinfection in the mother has been known to lead to inhibition of the newborn thyroid.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Allergic reaction
Angioedema
Arthralgia
Cutaneous bleeding disorders
Eosinophilia
Fever
Lymphadenopathy
Purpura
Urticaria

Presentation

Cutaneous solution containing iodine

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Skin disinfection
Wound cleanser

Dosage

Adults

Elderly

Children

Contraindications

Neonates
Thyroid dysfunction

Precautions and Warnings

Breastfeeding
Pregnancy

Avoid occlusive dressings
Do not apply to deep wounds
Do not apply to large areas of broken skin
Systemic absorption may interfere with thyroid function tests
Avoid prolonged use

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use topical iodine with caution in pregnancy.

Iodides are known to cross the placenta. Some topical preparations containing iodine are known to be absorbed by the foetal thyroid in the second and third trimesters.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use topical iodine with caution in breastfeeding.

Iodides are known to be concentrated in breast milk. The use of topical iodine for wound disinfection in the mother has been known to lead to inhibition of the newborn thyroid.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Allergic reaction
Angioedema
Arthralgia
Cutaneous bleeding disorders
Eosinophilia
Fever
Lymphadenopathy
Purpura
Urticaria

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: September 2015

Reference Sources

Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment, 2nd edition (2007) ed. Schaefer, C., Peters, P. and Miller, R. Elsevier, London.

Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk, 9th edition (2011) ed. Briggs, G., Freeman, R. and Yaffe, S. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.

Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary(online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press Accessed on 08 September 2015.

Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference (online) London: Brayfield A (ed). Pharmaceutical Press Accessed on 08 September 2015.

Paediatric Formulary Committee. BNF for Children (online) London: BMJ Group, Pharmaceutical Press, and RCPCH Publications Accessed on 08 September 2015.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Iodine tincture BP.Thornton and Ross Ltd. Revised February 2015

US National Library of Medicine. Toxicology Data Network. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).
Available at: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT
Iodine Last revised: 31 March 2015
Last accessed: 08 September 2015